Check the car

About this visual support

For many children the day before a trip is full of excitement and a little worry. A lot happens at once: bags need packing, someone has to find the keys, and suddenly an adult is crouching by the car doing something your child does not understand. When checking the car has its own picture in the day's plan, it becomes part of the journey instead of an unexpected wait.

It is also easy to get your child involved. An older child can read the number on the pressure gauge, while a younger one can count the tires and check that all four look round. Standing in front of the car and calling out when the lights come on is a job most children enjoy. That way the waiting turns into work, and the trip starts right there in the driveway.

Keep the list short and concrete: tires, washer fluid, lights and perhaps a look at the oil. One picture card per item is plenty. Put the pictures at the end of the packing routine, so your child knows departure is close once the car is being checked. In the Routined app you can build a travel routine with packing, car check and departure in the right order. You can try the app for 14 days before deciding.